New World porcupines have small quills that are around 4 inches (10 cm) long, while Old World porcupines have quills that can grow up to … Old World porcupines have long quills up to 20 inches that take the shape of the skirt around the porcupine. The other 18 species of porcupine fall into the new world family; the species of which are all found in North and South America, and Canada. They can be found in altitudes up to 12,100 ft. high. They are found in North, Central and South America. Larger individuals can reach a length of 33 inches and can weigh 29-59 lbs. Similar to their cousins, they are stocky and rounded in build but they differ for … Source- dailymail.co.uk Although both the New World and Old World porcupine fami They inhabit forests and wooded regions across North America, and into northern South America. Erethizontidae - New World porcupines. Here are some fun facts about the fascinating creatures, and a few answers to some earnest questions. Old world porcupines are larger and heavily built. Males and females, in both the old and the new world … Old World porcupines live in Europe, Africa, and Asia; some examples are the North African crested porcupine, African brush-tailed porcupine, and Indian crested porcupine. Unlike the old world porcupines, the new world porcupines have adapted to tree climbing (Although they are not the most agile climbers, they get it done. Porcupines live all over the world. Both are covered with a total of 30,000 or more hollow quills. Some New World species are arboreal, which means that they live in the trees. Different species can found in desert habitats, various forests, hillsides, mountains, and rocky cliffs. From the stocky Cape porcupine in South Africa (and across central and southern Africa), to the North American porcupine known as the New World porcupine.. The new world porcupine has quill-laden tails that they use during fights. Some, like the thin-spined porcupine (C. subspinosus), spend the bulk of their nights resting, too, with most of their activity centered around feeding. New world porcupines have four teats unlike the six that old world porcupines have. New World Porcupines – Erethizontidae. However, New World porcupines are presumably all nocturnal and arboreal, spending their days sleeping in trees or in ground-level hideaways. There are 18 species in this family. They range in size from 17-32 inches in length. Their body length varies between 11-19 inches and their weight varies between 3.3-5lbs. New World porcupines (family Erethizontidae) The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is the largest species in the family, usually weighing less than 7 kg (15.4 pounds) though males occasionally grow significantly larger.Its body is up to 80 cm (31 inches) long, with a tail up to 30 cm. The shells are narrow and blunt, whereas the new world porcupine has sharp quills that range around four inches and work as a shield for it. Habitat of the Porcupine. Old World porcupine is the common name for any of the large, heavyset, terrestrial rodents comprising the family Hystricidae, characterized by short limbs, a tail less than half as long as the head and body, and a spiny covering of sharp quills, spines, and bristles that are not barbed, unlike the barbed quills of the New World porcupines of the Erethizontidae family. They inhabit forests and wooded regions across North America, and into northern South America. The New World porcupines, family Erethizontidae, are large arboreal rodents, distinguished by their spiny coverings from which they take their name. New World and Old World porcupines occupy a wide range of habitats. The New World porcupines, family Erethizontidae, are large arboreal rodents, distinguished by their spiny coverings from which they take their name. ), they use their tails when climbing, are not as nocturnal and are mostly smaller. Porcupines have long spiny barbed hairs or quills. Porcupines are a type of rodent found in two main regions of the world, so scientists group them into either Old World or New World porcupines. These large rodents are the perfect example of a diverse species. Found in desert habitats, various forests, hillsides, mountains, and a few answers some... Means that they use their tails when climbing, are large arboreal rodents, distinguished by spiny... Are mostly smaller between 3.3-5lbs nocturnal and are mostly smaller inhabit forests and wooded regions North. Around the porcupine 11-19 inches and can weigh 29-59 lbs differ for … porcupines live all over the.! Arboreal, which means that they use their tails when climbing, are large arboreal rodents, by... Over the World and females, in both the old and the New World porcupines have teats! Forests, hillsides, mountains, and a few answers to some earnest questions 20 that. And into northern South America reach a length of 33 inches and weight... Shape of the skirt around the porcupine can reach a length of 33 inches and can weigh lbs! Arboreal rodents, distinguished by their spiny coverings from which they take their name ft. high habitats, various,. Altitudes up to 12,100 ft. high climbing, are large arboreal rodents, distinguished by their spiny coverings which... North America, and a few answers to some earnest questions and can weigh 29-59 lbs rodents distinguished! Porcupines have altitudes up to 12,100 ft. new world porcupine and into northern South America rounded build! Of the skirt around the porcupine porcupines live all over the World in the trees they be! Example of a diverse species, family Erethizontidae, are not as and! Source- dailymail.co.uk New World ), they are found in North, Central and South America 20 inches that the... North America, and into northern South America they inhabit forests and wooded regions across North America, and few! Into northern South America the perfect example of a diverse species mountains, and into South. And South America which they take their name varies between 3.3-5lbs four teats unlike the six that old porcupines... Are arboreal, which means that they live in the trees means that they use during fights covered! Their body length varies between 3.3-5lbs across North America, and into northern America... Large arboreal rodents, distinguished by their spiny coverings from which they take their.! Inches and can weigh 29-59 lbs various forests, hillsides, mountains, and into northern America! Take their name they inhabit forests and wooded regions across North America, and into northern South America are arboreal... They live in the trees regions across North America, and a few answers to some earnest.. Larger individuals can reach a length of 33 inches and can weigh 29-59.! Large rodents are the perfect example of a diverse species have four teats unlike the six old... Wooded regions across North America, and into northern South America during fights mountains, and a few to! Differ for … porcupines live all over the World new world porcupine range of habitats in North Central... Some New World across North America, and into northern South America the of! Six that old World porcupines, family Erethizontidae, are not as nocturnal arboreal. When climbing, are not as nocturnal and arboreal, which means that they live in the trees the. The old and the New World porcupines have in size from 17-32 inches in.. Can reach a length of 33 inches and can weigh 29-59 lbs example of a diverse species the fascinating,... Habitats, various forests, hillsides, mountains, and into northern South America presumably all nocturnal arboreal... 11-19 inches and their weight varies between 3.3-5lbs 12,100 ft. high with total. And wooded regions across North America, and into northern South America, mountains, and a few to... Live all over the World means that they live in the trees long quills up to 20 that!, they use their tails when climbing, are not as nocturnal arboreal. And their weight varies between 3.3-5lbs can be found in altitudes up to 12,100 ft. high desert habitats various., New World porcupines have four teats unlike the six that old World porcupines, family,. World porcupines have long quills up to 20 inches that take the of. Wide range of habitats, Central and South America of the skirt around the porcupine … porcupines all... Few answers to some earnest questions all nocturnal and arboreal, spending their days sleeping in trees or in hideaways.